2012-04-07 Sat 8am - Bournemouth - (The 100 Club)

Bah. Looks like I'm out then. Gutted. Was really looking forward to this too.

FYI: it might be worth editing the 1st post as it sorta suggests that if you're happy/capable of doing 50miles then this ride should be ok, but clearly not.

Oh well, maybe I'll just try and knock out a century by myself over the Easter wkend.

Why not go anyway Poots? Whats the worst that could happen?

The best thing that could happen is you manage it fine and stick two fingers up to me and Pete. The worst? Getting a train back from somewhere?

There are numerous points on the route where bailing is feasible, and if the weather holds I can think of nothing better than heading out with fun peeps in the sun.

To add a little perspective, this route is about twice as hilly (as in total climbing) as Brighton but also about twice as far but with nothing as nasty as Bitchling etc.

EDIT: And also about twice as much up and twice as far as the route that I did to Cambridge with Dropout and Iknowhowtowhistle on fixed and SS yesterday.

Poots, give it a go. I'm aiming to go even though the furthest I've ridden is 96 miles (lots of stops) and I loathe hills.

Mind you I'm on a night ride to Bognor on Thursday/Friday so am hoping the body will have recovered by Saturday morning!

If we both make it we can buy each other a Guinness. Deal?

Hey Poots, I'll addd my name to 'give it a go' club! I've rarely topped 60 in a day, will be riding ss and fear hills. I'm sure you've got plenty in your legs to cope with this one!

BUMP!
So no news. Did this ride actually go ahead?

Its not until next week!

ah yes, that would be it then!

... i knew there was a reason why i couldn't go, and now i've remembered why

Why not go anyway Poots? Whats the worst that could happen?
The worst? Getting a train back from somewhere?

This is the worst thing that could happen...have only bailed on one forum ride (and that was due to riding a new, unknown bike more than anything) but it really knocked my confidence and belief in my riding skillz so taking on borad all that's been said above am deffo out.

Fuck... this is next weekend. Easter is next weekend. Out :(

Stupid family.

1. braker
   
2. edscoble
   
3. youramericanlover
   
4. 
   
5. Eamesy
   
6. Yasi
   
7. Iknowhowtowhistle (If I'm good enough to keep up)
   
8. poots
   
9. Sweats
   
10. Cafewanda (as Iknowhowtowhistle)
    
11. Xander
    
12. Raymund (i did this trip once but on a bmx should be better on my current bike )
    
13. Jim
    
14. Stonehedge II
    
15. CelesteGreen
    
16. Hairnetnic
    
17. Fox
    
18. spybot
    
19. BenJam
    

1. braker
   
2. edscoble
   
3. youramericanlover
   
4. 
   
5. Eamesy
   
6. Yasi
   
7. Iknowhowtowhistle (If I'm good enough to keep up)
   
8. 
   
9. Sweats
   
10. Cafewanda (as Iknowhowtowhistle)
    
11. Xander
    
12. Raymund (i did this trip once but on a bmx should be better on my current bike )
    
13. Jim
    
14. Stonehedge II
    
15. CelesteGreen
    
16. Hairnetnic
    
17. Fox
    
18. spybot
    
19. BenJam
    

Yo.

Been off the bike for a week or so now after some gimp pulled out on me without looking, but ride is still on. Poots you're a wimp, and i'm going to punish you by getting hammered on the Guinness Ride and following you around all night being abrasive.

Forecast is currently for a couple of showers on the day, but frankly my only real concern is that the ice cream van in the New Forest will be absent.

Thoroughly enjoyed this last year (after pub recovery). 3-4 fixed riders last time IIRC and they left me for dead. Excellent wheels to follow though.. nice steady cadence, no coasting. Much love.

A few pics attached.

5 Attachments

Poots you're a wimp, and i'm going to punish you by getting hammered on the Guinness Ride and following you around all night being abrasive.

At least the elderly ladies of London, trying to enjoy a trip to famous London's famous West End will get a break (er) from the abuse that night.

At least the elderly ladies of London, trying to enjoy a trip to famous London's famous West End will get a break (er) from the abuse that night.

Hmm. Maybe I should keep a distance from this chap :-)

I was a perfect gentlemen, it's not my fault they didn't want to share a cab ride.

1. braker
   
2. edscoble
   
3. youramericanlover
   
4. 
   
5. Eamesy
   
6. Yasi
   
7. Iknowhowtowhistle (If I'm good enough to keep up)
   
8. 
   
9. Sweats
   
10. Cafewanda (as Iknowhowtowhistle)
    
11. Xander
    
12. Raymund (i did this trip once but on a bmx should be better on my current bike )
    
13. Jim
    
14. Stonehedge II
    
15. CelesteGreen
    
16. Hairnetnic
    
17. Fox
    
18. spybot
    
19. BenJam
    

1. Clubman
   

1. braker
   
2. edscoble
   
3. youramericanlover
   
4. Clubman
   
5. Eamesy
   
6. Yasi
   
7. Iknowhowtowhistle (If I'm good enough to keep up)
   
8. 
   
9. Sweats
   
10. Cafewanda (as Iknowhowtowhistle)
    
11. Xander
    
12. Raymund (i did this trip once but on a bmx should be better on my current bike )
    
13. Jim
    
14. Stonehedge II
    
15. CelesteGreen
    
16. Hairnetnic
    
17. Fox
    
18. spybot
    
19. BenJam
    
    

fixed.

No monsters but a long grind out of Alton that takes you to the highest point on the route (and is also half way, pretty much).

I know this climb as 'Four Marks'. There have been a number of time trial courses that have climbed it in the past and it was for a little while included in our 100 course (not any longer so don't be put off entering). It is daunting if you are trying to go fast, but no problem if you are prepared to climb at a modest pace.

It seems to me the difficulty in a ride like this is more likely to be unfavourable wind rather than hills. The current forecast for Saturday is for a gusty northerly, so that should be quite helpful.

I don't promise to ride fixed myself, but if I had no other option I wouldn't let it put me off.

I've just booked a B&B in Bournemouth with the intention of riding back on Sunday. It's not much more expensive than the train, and naturally I'm hoping that "every mile will pay a dividend".

Just one query about the route. It's not my ride and of course I'll follow the organiser where ever he wants to go, but I wonder why the planned route on the map shows a loop going south of Guildford which seems to be off the direct line between start & finish. There is a reasonable route from Richmond to Farnham going by way of Chertsey, Chobham, Knaphill, past Brookwood cemetery, and then on to the A324 (not generally specially busy) to Ash and then Farnham, just about 10 miles before the above mentioned Four Marks climb. Just a suggestion - I'll certainly use this route on the way back.

3 mile climb - sounds lovley. Also another sharp one at the 20 mile mark (which is probably good to get out of the way early). Excited.

Out. Work stops play. Have fun all.

Am sorely tempted to give this a stab but the distance is a little intimidating.

Would anyone be riding down to Richmond from the Stoke Newington / Dalston area?

Did someone say tailwind...?

1. braker
   
2. edscoble
   
3. youramericanlover
   
4. Clubman
   
5. Eamesy
   
6. Yasi
   
7. Iknowhowtowhistle (If I'm good enough to keep up)
   
8. Rod Munch
   
9. Sweats
   
10. Cafewanda (as Iknowhowtowhistle)
    
11. Xander
    
12. Raymund (i did this trip once but on a bmx should be better on my current bike )
    
13. Jim
    
14. Stonehedge II
    
15. CelesteGreen
    
16. Hairnetnic
    
17. Fox
    
18. spybot
    
19. BenJam